Predator trapping competition

WAINUI School has launched a five week-long competition to see who can catch the most predators in the beach suburb.

There are 140 tunnel traps placed at student’s properties around Wainui, with the goal to catch as many predators as possible to help bring birds back to the area.Mr Shand from Wainui School organised the competition with support from Nga Manu Waiata, Wainui’s local pest control group.“The idea is to bring back the birds to Wainui beach.“Two years ago we did a little blue penguin nest box building programme where we made 12 nesting boxes and put them along the beach where children were able to monitor them.“This builds on that idea, where we can guard and protect little blue penguins and other birds,” Mr Shand said.“The kids are excited, some that built the trap tunnels about two months ago have been constantly asking ‘when is the competition starting?’, so it’s great to finally get it underway for them.“We are looking at doing this competition two or three times a year, so any new students or those that want to participate are able to do so.“Nga Manu Waiata, the local pest control group, have been the main supporters.They have provided funding to build the trap boxes as well as providing the actual traps and all of the prizes.“We live in a special environment, and giving the kids the opportunity to be involved in helping to bring back the wildlife and the native birds to areas like this is a very special thing to be involved with.“This also supports the government idea of being pest free by 2050,” Mr Shand said. The competition started October 25 and ends November 28.Predator Free 2050 is an ambitious goal to rid New Zealand of the most damaging introduced predators (rats, stoats, and possums) that threaten the nation’s natural taonga, the economy and primary sector.

Caption - GET THE PREDATORS: 140 trap tunnels have been placed at Wainui School students’ properties to see who can catch the most predators in a five week-long competition. Picture by Liam Clayton

Photo - 191025 GH Rat Trapping Comp

GET THE PREDATORS: 140 trap tunnels have been placed at Wainui School students’ properties to see who can catch the most predators in a five week-long competition. Picture by Liam Clayton